Neuren, Metabolic report nerve regeneration data

Neuren Pharmaceuticals (ASX:NEU) and Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) have obtained promising results in an animal trial testing the ability of NNZ-4921, a neural regeneration peptide (NRP), to prevent or reverse sensory nerve damage.

In the study, twenty rats were given high doses of vitamin B6 (pyriodoxine) for eight days to induce peripheral neuropathy (sensory nerve damage). Half of the rats were also injected once per day with a low dose of NNZ-4921 for the eight days, and then for two days after the pyriodoxine was stopped. The twenty rats were weighed each day and assessed for motor skill impairment. The rats treated with NNZ-4921 showed significantly less weight loss and performed better in three tests of motor impairment and hyper-responsiveness.

"These results are an important stage in assessing the viability of the compound as a neuroactive drug," said Neuren CEO David Clarke in a statement.

In preparation for human testing, further studies will be conducted to characterise the compound followed by a formal preclinical safety and toxicity program.

"The next steps during 2006 will also produce the data needed to determine which of the large neuro-therapeutic markets we will be targeting for the compounds application," said Clarke.

Potential indications for NRPs include chemotherapy-induced, HIV-induced or diabetic neuropathies. In the US, peripheral neuropathy affects as many as 2.5 million people and results in more than US$11 billion in health care costs.

Neuren and Metabolic agreed to jointly develop the NRPs project in March 2005, and development costs are being shared between the two companies. All intellectual property and commercial outcomes will be shared equally.